Sights and sounds: Mercury fans show Brittney Griner love in return to Phoenix

Griner, who spent 11 seasons in the Valley and helped the Mercury win the 2014 WNBA championship, returned to Phoenix for the first time since signing with the Dream in free agency this past offseason.

From the moment Griner emerged from the tunnel, it was all love between the Mercury’s passionate fanbase, “the X-Factor,” and the nine-time All-Star. The small number of fans who arrived early enough to see Griner began to murmur when she arrived. Before speaking to a gaggle of media members, Griner even signed some autographs, too.

“A lot of emotions walking in,” Griner said. “Just good to be back in front of all the fans here, all the X-Factor.”

After speaking to the media, Griner then shared a long embrace with Mercury president Vince Kozar.

During warmups, a tribute video for Griner was displayed on the video board as the crowd gave two standing ovations. Fans held up “Thank You BG” signs that were given away by the Mercury while Griner blew kisses to the fanbase that cheered her on for over a decade.

Players from both teams also paused to applaud Griner, who hugged DeWanna Bonner, her former Mercury teammate. Bonner recently returned for her second stint with the team.

When Griner’s name was announced as a starter for the Dream, the crowd gave yet another standing ovation.

“Just being back on the court that I basically started my career on and played the majority of, it just felt good,” Griner said. “Like the crowd, seeing familiar faces, hearing old stories, signing jerseys. It was a really good, good feeling. I said I was going to hold my tears to the end, but they got me, they got me a little bit.”

When the game tipped off, the nine-time All-Star turned back the clock. Griner, whose numbers are significantly down this season, put up numbers similar to the 17.7 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game she averaged during her time in Phoenix. The center scored 17 points, 8 rebounds and was 8-for-12 from the field in the Dream’s 90-79 loss to her former team. She also made her lone free throw attempt, of which fans shouted “missing one” instead of “making one.” However, the jeer sounded more like a question than a definitive one.

Griner said her performance was spurred by Mercury legends Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor being courtside for the game. Ahead of the game, Griner brought up winning with Taurasi when asked what memories come up when she steps on the floor in Phoenix.

“When I looked over, I saw Dee (Diana Taurasi) and Penny (Taylor) over there,” Griner said. “I think that kind of ignited me a little bit.”

Mercury bring back Griner’s shoe drive for the game

Something Griner became known for during her time in Phoenix was BG’s Heart and Soul Shoe Drive.

The shoe drive was started by Griner and the Mercury to provide shoes to individuals without a home.

The team brought the shoe drive back for Griner’s return to Phoenix and fans were spotted bringing shoes into the arena to donate.

Griner spoke about the team’s gesture, which they also did when she was detained in Russia for the 2022 season.

“That was big,” Griner said. “Even when I was gone, when I was locked up, it was still going. … It just shows how much they really mean what they say when they get behind you.”

Bonner, Tibbetts discuss Griner’s impact in Phoenix

At shootaround on Wednesday, Bonner spoke to the media and discussed what the legendary Mercury center means to Phoenix.

“You can’t mention Phoenix without mentioning BG,” Bonner said. “What she’s done – she won a championship here. She grew up here, literally. Got drafted here and just became a great person to this community.”

Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts, who coached Griner last season, called Griner “one of the pillars of the Mercury” and “maybe even a better person” than she is a player.

Griner discusses departing Phoenix

It was hard to ever imagine Griner playing for a different team than the Mercury.

However, the Dream center said there were no talks about her returning to Phoenix for the 2025 season.

“No,” Griner said. “Those conversations haven’t came up.”

Griner did not seem frustrated about not coming back to her longtime team, saying she is “happy” for both the Mercury and herself.

“Everything all worked out,” Griner said.